Photo-id catalog points to some degree of Bryde’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni) site fidelity to Cabo Frio region, southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Figueiredo, L.D.; Tardin, R.H.; Lodi, L.; Maciel, I.S.; Alves, M.A.S. & Simão, S.M. 2014. Site fidelity of Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni) in Cabo Frio region, southeastern Brazil, through photoidentification technique. Braz. J. Aquat. Sci. Technol. 18(2): X-X. eISSN 1983-9057. DOI: 10.14210/bjast.v18n2.p59-64 Photo-identification technique was applied to Bryde's whales off the coast of Cabo Frio region, south-eastern Brazil between December 2010 and November 2012.Twenty-five individuals were sighted on nineteen different days and, of these total, nine were individually identified using natural marks on the dorsal fin. Of these, two individuals were seen in four different days, and one was seen in two occasions. The mean interval between re-sighting was 133 days (minimum: one day, maximum: 431 days). Two different adult individuals that were previously identified were seen again accompanied by calves and one of these was also seen next to the Rio de Janeiro city coast (126 km apart). Most of the observations consisted of lone individuals (58.8% of sightings). The data reported here indicate that the Cabo Frio coast may be important for the studied species in Brazilian waters and indicated the possible site fidelity of Bryde's whales to this area.

Occurrence and habitat use of Bryde's whales (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Cabo Frio region, South-eastern Brazil

“…Studies in open oceanic waters are expensive and, in developing countries, such as Brazil, uncommon. However, in some areas of South-eastern Brazil, such as Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro state, whales come closer to the coast (Figueiredo et al ., 2015), creating study opportunities. The Brazilian National Plan for Large Cetaceans states that an investigation of distribution patterns and subsequent designation of critical conservation areas for this species in Brazilian waters is desirable (Rocha-Campos & Câmara, 2011).…”

Bryde's whale (Cetartiodactyla: Balaenopteridae) occurrence and movements in coastal areas of southeastern Brazil

“…Sighting records of B. edeni off Rio de Janeiro and in the Cabo Frio region suggest that Bryde's whales are possibly following the movements of pelagic fish schools. In southeastern Brazil, during late spring, summer (CERGOLE et al 2005) and fall (PAIVA & MOTTA 2000), Brazilian sardines approach the coast to spawn in shallower waters. In Brazil, Brazilian sardines (SICILIANO et al 2004), Engraulidae fish (LIMA et al 2006) and aviu shrimp, Acetes americanus Ortmann, 1893 (MOURA & SICILIANO 2012) seem to be important in the diet of Bryde's whales.…”